In Another Reversal, White House Approves Widely Banned Weapon For Ukraine Despite Heightened Danger To Civilians
(Worthy News) – The Biden administration on Friday announced plans to provide cluster munitions for Ukraine as changing battlefield conditions prompted yet another reversal over sending weapons once deemed too sensitive.
Kyiv has requested the weapon, essentially a bomb filled with mini “bomblets,” for months to target deeply entrenched Russian positions and prosecute the counteroffensive despite its disadvantage in troop numbers and ammunition, according to The New York Times. While the Biden administration initially demurred regarding Ukraine’s demands for the controversial weapon, which poses a unique risk to civilians, officials signaled in recent weeks the White House was coming around to Kyiv’s line of reasoning.
Laura Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, told Congress in late June the administration determined cluster munitions would offer Ukraine an advantage “especially against dug-in Russian positions on the battlefield.” [ Source: Daily Caller (Read More…) ]
White House sends cluster bombs to Ukraine, but previously called Russian use a possible ‘war crime’
Notably, former White House press secretary Jen Psaki previously condemned Russian use of such munitions in the war as a possible war crime. In a February 2022 press briefing, Psaki field a question as to the legality of Moscow’s use of the weapons.
“There are reports of illegal cluster bombs and vacuum bombs being used by the Russians,” the reporter stated. “If that’s true, what is the next step of this administration? And is there a red line for how much violence will be tolerated against civilians in this manner that’s illegal and potentially a war crime?”
“It is — it would be. I don’t have any confirmation of that. We have seen the reports. If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime,” Psaki replied at the time. “Obviously, there are a range of international fora that would assess that. So, certainly, we would look to that to be a part of that conversation.” [ Source: Just the News (Read More…) ]
US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, $800 million military aid package, officials say
The Biden administration is providing cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce additional military aid worth up to $800 million for war efforts against Russia, two U.S. officials confirm to Fox News.
The weapons will come from Pentagon stocks and will also include Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles plus an array of ammunition, such as rounds for howitzers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, the officials said. A formal announcement is expected Friday afternoon. [ Source: Fox News (Read More…) ]